Trip Report The Dry Heat Expedition (Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Disneyland)--UPDATE 6/12 (KSC and DTD)

[jedijill]

That was a dam good update. The picture of Drew banging his head on the stroller is priceless!

Jill in CO

 

[glennbo123]

I agree with jedijill...dam good.

Hey, isn't Hercules a Delaware company???

Julie nominated me to be the one who leaned over the edge to get this dam picture. Maybe she really was sick of my jokes.

Dam.

 

[Dugette]

I have to say that this is the best dam update I've ever read on the DIS!

Nice shirts too! I love the mac+cheese teamwork one. Also, yay for being bought by Wisconsin! (I went to college there).

I actually read this update earlier while I was eating my lunch and had to work really hard not to spit out my food when I saw the picture with the baby face-plant! Hysterical!

Looks like a fun site to see!

 

[Poolrat]

As probably all have said- BEST DAM UPDATE I have ever read!!!!


The tour look like some great sights and great information on this massive structure.

You got some great pictures even if Julie had you dangling over the side. Great job on the death hike for the views and super view to eat luch with.

The family picture with Drew done is hysterical.

 

[cj9200]

9:15 a.m.—Time to start the dam tour. Excuse me, powerplant tour...

The elevator takes us 500 feet down into the canyon wall. We emerge into a tunnel carved into the rock. We all agree as a family that this dam tunnel is awesome.

Looking out on the other side, we could see the Colorado River. Note the “bathtub ring” on the canyon walls that show where the water level has been in the past. Due to the ongoing drought in the area, the water level is at its lowest point since the 1960’s. To the left is one of the four penstock towers, where water flows into the pipes.

It is amazing how low Lake Mead is. We were there when the now Junior in college was just a bit older than Drew. The Lake was at a normal level and the difference is incredible. I wanted to go into the bowels of the dam, dam but the kid did not want anything to do with it. Thanks for the pictures so I can see what I missed. Another reason to Gibbs slap the child when I next see her.

 

[franandaj]

That was a great Dam Update!

We definitely need to get back to the dam as the last time we were there the highway went over the dam. As a traffic engineer you can see the problem as the parking was on the top of the dam and folks passing through had to deal not only with crossing the dam, but also watching for folks who were pulling out of parking spaces. It caused quite a back up on the highway. That whole parking structure is new.

Great family picture shots! I think you should make an album of all the awesome places you have eaten PB&J with your kids and give it to them as either a college going away present or a wedding gift. Those are prime family memories that they need to cherish!

 

[dgbg100106]

I agree with jedijill...dam good.

I took my DH to Vegas and the Dam for his birthday two years ago, and we got to the bright and early, and did the other tour, we had a great time and loved it.

Glad you all enjoyed the tour and the sights, they are amazing.


I think Drew might be the smartest so far!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

You literally had me laughing out loud at the picture of baby Drew with his head down. And again that Julie volunteered you to lean over the edge to take the picture.

Beautiful pictures!! It looks like a fun morning and amazing scenary!

I'm definitely glad we went. It's really an amazing engineering achievement, and worth the visit. Not sure Drew agrees.

Is it bad that I kept looking for Cousin Eddie and his fishing gear in your pictures?

I consider it an honor that you felt Cousin Eddie would fit right into this trip report!

You did a dam good job on the dam tour update. Seriously, the tour looked really interesting.

Thanks. It was a neat tour.

There's no way that I could have taken the picture leaning over and looking down. I'm too scared of heights to do something so stupid, I mean, something like that.

It wasn't so bad. I had my feet on the ground, the camera strap around my neck, and just leaned on a big wall. I got the picture before Julie could push me.

The picture with Drew with his head down cracked me up. He was like "ugh, I am sooooo over this".

I'd personally like to use that one for the Christmas card.

Being the daughter of a civil engineer, I know all about engineering sightseeing. I grew up with it! And it actually was successful in making me appreciate sights like that even more! What a fantastic project this dam was!

We engineers are a generally underappreciated bunch, so it warms my heart to hear this.

However, it is sad to see, how much the draught is really affecting the water levels there. It is kind of scary thinking how long it will take to fill up the water again.

Yeah, it's pretty serious out west. It'll take a couple of years of good rain to bring back the water.

Seems like you had a very good start to your first vacation day and I think that the lunch spot you chose for your gourmet lunch was extremely pretty!!

Thank You Mark for all the dam information.

Just doing my dam job.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Well, now that I've fallen sufficiently behind, I might as well just jump in here and hit the ground running. Or stumbling. Or minigolfing left handed while holding a baby. Whatever cliche works for you.

Julie wanted to know why I needed a picture of this. Because explosions.

Mark wants big boom!

*--Note: the baby is wearing a Wisconsin outfit. This was sent by a fellow DIS-er (FreezinRafiki) from Wisconsin, which sums up our total allegiance to the state. I’m just pointing this out to show that yes, we can be bought.**

**--Unless you’re a Dallas Cowboys fan. That ain’t happening.

I took this picture to show that yes, Hoover Dam can indeed generate enough power to send you traveling through time (flux capacitor not included):

How do you get the dam going 88 mph?

11:43 a.m.—Somewhere along the way, we pull over and make our first gourmet lunch of the vacation. Long-time readers know that our vacations involve peanut butter & jelly sandwiches in some of the most beautiful locations on earth. Hey, we have to save money somewhere. Besides, it’s not about the meal. It’s about the view.

We utilized the Capt. Oblivious Meal Plan on our last road trip. Excellent work.

And Julie is forced to dredge up skills from her distant past. A past she thought was long-forgotten.

Bank robber? Assassian?? Hairdresser to the stars???

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Amazing dam pictures and info.
Lake Mead is scary with thr ring showing. So many things I worry I need to see before they just arent there any more

 

[afwdwfan]

Well, I've read through your first dam update. Finally. And now I've got to get back to work. I'll be back tomorrow to read part 2 and comment in depth but I've just gotta say that Sarah's shirt is awesome.

 

[afwdwfan]

7:30 a.m.—we somehow managed to get dressed, showered (not in that order)

On the amount of sleep you're working with, I'm not sure that we can believe the part in the parentheses.

You thought I was going to get lost again, didn’t you?

We thought Julie would get to take the stroller on this cool elevator that is cut into the rock, but it wasn’t running at the time.

It looks like something that a James Bond villain would use to get to his lair.

I’m sure it was just for convenience and had nothing to do with anyone’s desire to isolate us from the rest of the nice people on the tour.

Yeah, you're probably right.

Julie says my dam jokes are getting old. I say that’s not possible.

And you'd be correct.

The floor is decorated with intricate tile art, which was designed to incorporate designs from the work of Navajo and Pueblo tribes. (It was hard to get a picture of it without people standing on it.)

Geeze people. Have some respect. Quit walking on the dam art.

Julie wanted to know why I needed a picture of this. Because explosions.

I took this picture to show that yes, Hoover Dam can indeed generate enough power to send you traveling through time (flux capacitor not included)

You didn't see any Deloreans parked in the parking lot there did you?

And here we see that baby Drew is already done with our dam pictures.

Great picture. I mean the other is probably the better Christmas card picture in the traditional sense... but this one is probably much more realistic!

Julie nominated me to be the one who leaned over the edge to get this dam picture. Maybe she really was sick of my jokes.

Well, you didn't get a boot in the rear when you were doing it, did you?

Anyway, was the hike worth it?


Depends on who you ask.

Ok, did Drew think it was worth it?

Anyway, the water is a gorgeous shade of blue. If you look closely at the islands, you can see the parts that are normally underwater.

Its like an oasis in the middle of a desert.

We opted for the scenic route.

I wouldn't expect anything different from you.

Coming Up Next: We make our way into Red Rock country. And Julie is forced to dredge up skills from her distant past. A past she thought was long-forgotten.

Does she have to teach someone something?

 

[KatMark]

Mark, that was a dam good update on the Hoover dam and the dam history.

Baby Drew with his head on his stroller had me

Great family picture, my friend.

In all the times I've been to Vegas, we have never gone over to the dam dam. We will have to make a point of it on our next trip.

And with a view like that, even I would eat a PBJ sandwich (and I HATE peanut butter).

Oh and last but not least, THANK GOD Drew was NOT wearing a Packer shirt from that rat in Wisconsin.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Oh and last but not least, THANK GOD Drew was NOT wearing a Packer shirt from that rat in Wisconsin.

Bambi sent the shirt. I'll pass on your ... compliments?

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

First off… 14
Well… 32, but 14 apply

+14

You certainly set up the scene so as to offer up the possibility.
But I wasn’t worried this time.
There are other destinations arising in the near future where I’m not so certain though.

Boy, get lost one time, and you develop an instant reputation.

This one bit of foresight will make up for about half of the entendres to come.

You're killing me, Smalls.

This is an example of a literary allusion to the concept of futility


This proves my point.

But the jokes don't get old!

Example… Warning… Tomāto… Tomäto…
The words are interchangeable in this instance.

Ah, close enough.

That’s one (and so early in the day)


Off to a quick start: two

Can't put anything past you, can I?

Oh unquestionably.

But I wore deodorant and everything.

3, 4, 5


And in the midst of an attempt to fight the good fight… six

They keep on coming.

That’s a right cool additional detail.
I do like that they took time to consider art as part of the project.
But then they knew that this was going to be as much a national monument as a utilitarian edifice.

Agreed. One thing we really liked on the highways out in Nevada and Arizona was that many of the bridges at the interchanges had various works of art on/around them. I'm sure it costs more money, but it lends character and a sense of local pride to an otherwise mundane structure.

Se7en

Ocho, nueve…

And yet you missed making this one number ten.

Even I can show some restraint now and then.

Goes without sayin’

I knew you'd understand.

Uh, ah, almost. There are a few, uh, provisos. Ah, a couple of quid pro quo.

(but I must whole heartedly agree with your instance on this provision)

We have to have some standards here.

With nearly 0.8 to spare; give or take.
Impressive!

We don't even have to harness a bolt of lightning!

There’s ten, with number eleven tossed in just for added enjoyment.

And a glorious dozen.
Not to mention one absolutely hysterical partial family portrait.

We can debate about the dam jokes, but this picture never gets old.

Perfect!
The thirteenth occurrence comes equipped with the hint of potential mayhem.

I think Julie just didn't want to face charges.

Annnnnnd… Fourteen!
I can only imagine just exactly how many your family actually had to endure.

They said they official count was 6. That they heard, anyway.

I remember the conversation.
Fed is a master of brevity.

(which I believe is considered to be the soul of something or other but I forget just exactly what at this point in time)

You can always tell where Fed stands on an issue.

Always the best choice…
If you have the time.

And plenty of gas. These desert roads make you go a long way between stops.

And we envy you greatly for every one of those sandwiches savored.

I heard a rumor that the Frozen Rafiki family may have adopted this meal plan.

Great update and a successful morning outing. The state of Lake Mead is unfortunate and does not bode well. May we all figure out how to better maintain our resources. I very much appreciate that you let us join you on these wonderful adventures… bad jokes and all.

They just need more rain!

Oh, and sorry about the juvenile count there, but it had to be done.
It was a moral imperative.

I guess I'll let you go this time. We certainly wouldn't want to keep encouraging juvenile, crass content in this establishment.

 

[KatMark]

Bambi sent the shirt. I'll pass on your ... compliments?

Oh my God...he's alive!

Hey, I've seen what you make your poor kids wear.

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

Oh my God...he's alive!

Hey, I've seen what you make your poor kids wear.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

That was a dam good update. The picture of Drew banging his head on the stroller is priceless!

Jill in CO

It's a keeper! Maybe I should save it to use as a standard Baby Drew reaction shot.

I agree with jedijill...dam good.

Hey, isn't Hercules a Delaware company???

You are correct, sir! Or at least, it used to be. I should have pointed that out.

Dam.

Yes. Yes, it is.

I have to say that this is the best dam update I've ever read on the DIS!

Darn right!

Nice shirts too! I love the mac+cheese teamwork one. Also, yay for being bought by Wisconsin! (I went to college there).

That explains the extra love for cheese.

I actually read this update earlier while I was eating my lunch and had to work really hard not to spit out my food when I saw the picture with the baby face-plant! Hysterical!

I still laugh every time I look at it.

Looks like a fun site to see!

It was worth the visit, for sure!

As probably all have said- BEST DAM UPDATE I have ever read!!!!

IT TRULY DOES NOT GET OLD!!!

The tour look like some great sights and great information on this massive structure.

I think it was worth the time.

You got some great pictures even if Julie had you dangling over the side. Great job on the death hike for the views and super view to eat luch with.

I keep wondering why she took out that extra life insurance policy.

The family picture with Drew done is hysterical.

 

[MNtwinsplus1mom]

Julie also reminds me that we are here for educational purposes, and for the kids to learn about both history and engineering, and this is not the time to be making endless juvenile “dam” jokes. Being 1) a guy, and 2) a dad, I have no idea what she is talking about. As always, I’m here to set a fine example for my children to follow.

Mission accomplished! I was impressed at how many dam jokes you worked in. A favorite of mine was just your little reference to your dam tour guide. Kinda harsh.

9:15 a.m. We begin with a short film that tells the story of the construction of the dam. Construction began in 1931 and it was finished in 1936, which was actually more than 2 years ahead of schedule.

Shocking efficiency!

They had a walk-in, full-size model of a turbine. Seemed as good a place as any to try and get a cute baby picture.*

Great baby photo! And great location! I will not comment on the shirt.

And here we see that baby Drew is already done with our dam pictures.

Love it! Priceless photo! That Drew is a keeper!

I like this one (below) for a Christmas card also.

Looking out on the other side, we could see the Colorado River. Note the “bathtub ring” on the canyon walls that show where the water level has been in the past. Due to the ongoing drought in the area, the water level is at its lowest point since the 1960’s. To the left is one of the four penstock towers, where water flows into the pipes.

Amazing photos. That bathtub ring is cool!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

It is amazing how low Lake Mead is. We were there when the now Junior in college was just a bit older than Drew. The Lake was at a normal level and the difference is incredible. I wanted to go into the bowels of the dam, dam but the kid did not want anything to do with it. Thanks for the pictures so I can see what I missed. Another reason to Gibbs slap the child when I next see her.

Do what you must, but please don't say it was my fault. I don't want to be on the wrong side of the shiv.

That was a great Dam Update!

We definitely need to get back to the dam as the last time we were there the highway went over the dam. As a traffic engineer you can see the problem as the parking was on the top of the dam and folks passing through had to deal not only with crossing the dam, but also watching for folks who were pulling out of parking spaces. It caused quite a back up on the highway. That whole parking structure is new.

Yeah, I can imagine that the amount of traffic trying to cross would have made it really hard (and dangerous) to see anything up there. As it was, there were still several cars coming through on top of the dam.

Great family picture shots! I think you should make an album of all the awesome places you have eaten PB&J with your kids and give it to them as either a college going away present or a wedding gift. Those are prime family memories that they need to cherish!

That would be fun! But we typically take pictures of them eating while we're in these places. So it might not translate to an album well. Still, we have the memories of a lot of beautiful places.

I agree with jedijill...dam good.

Glad you liked the dam update!

I took my DH to Vegas and the Dam for his birthday two years ago, and we got to the bright and early, and did the other tour, we had a great time and loved it.

Glad you all enjoyed the tour and the sights, they are amazing.

I think Drew might be the smartest so far!

You might be right! Too bad he's stuck with the rest of us.